Masterful
posted in General |MASTERFUL
The Masters golf tournament held annually at Augusts, Georgia simply has to be the premier sporting event in the world. Marvelous scenery, a perfect environment, a splendid atmosphere, knowledgeable and appreciative fans, exemplary conduct, and the best players in the world. Every year it seems to get better, but 2004 will be hard to beat. First, the dramatic farewell of golfing's legend, Arnold Palmer, who played in the event for 50 years (he won 4 times), followed by the come-from-behind dramatic win by Phil Mickelson. The mere thought of getting 5 birdies over the last seven is mind-boggling — and then capped by winning the tournamant on the last stroke at the last hole on the last day. Hollywood's best script writers could hardly top that. From a very good golfer dubbed by some as a perennial loser he became a very popular champion in just one shot.
In watching the entire 5 hour contest, I was impressed by the excellence of all that I saw. Well dressed, polite, courteous people – no insulting finger waving, no beer guts hanging over inadequate belts, no drunks barfing behind trees, no coarse filty language and no loud mouth hecklers in the audience. It was a class act from start to finish – all in an incomparable setting. Just think – only 51 weeks to go until the 2005 Masters.
In days where TV and the newspapers are dominated by killings, shootings, child abuse, garish trials, suicide bombers and other types of coarse, sub-human, or bestial behavior, a 5 hour respite from the downside of humanity is most welcome. The Masters offered that and more. Do the Tournament sponsors discriminate? Yes, they probably do — and more power to them. I've had enough of a society where “progress” is measured by destroying standards of behavior to satisfy “rights”. Do you really think that Margaret Burke can bring anything to the Masters except grief and friction??
Lucky Mickelson. He will be able to play in the Masters every year from now on. And I'll be watching as long as I can!